Planning commission approves zoning change

Maria and Ignacio Ramos of Sunnyside cleared their first hurdle in getting their one-acre plot of land on Scoon Road changed from a zoning designation of B-2 General Commercial to R-1 Low Density Residential at last night's Sunnyside Planning Commission meeting.

Zoning changes require two public hearings. Last night was the first and after getting the go ahead from the planning commission, the Ramos family will go through one more at a city council meeting in September for final approval.

The big question the planning commission had to answer was whether a zoning change for this particular request would create a 'spot zone'. This happens when an isolated parcel is inconsistent or incompatible with surrounding zoning or land uses.

Since the parcel of land in question sits adjacent to another R-1 zoned property, the commission felt the zoning change wouldn't create a problem.

The commission also had to decide whether the new zoning would be compatible with surrounding land uses. Since the re-zoning would allow for less intense use than what is currently permitted in the B-2 zone, the R-1 designation would be compatible.

The need for a zoning change came about when the Ramos family decided to build a residential house on their property. Told by the city this wasn't allowed due to the land's B-2 zoning, the Ramos family petitioned the planning commission for the zoning change.

The couple plan on running a business from their home.

Only one person spoke at the public hearing. Silvia Alvarez, a daughter to Maria and Ignacio Ramos, explained to the commission her family wanted to move their business from Lincoln Avenue to their property in the 800 block of Scoon Road, where they already have another home.